Porsche Clarifies 963 Evo Joker Usage

Photo: Porsche

Porsche has clarified its usage of Evo jokers for the 963, with a total of three jokers having been used on the LMDh prototype so far, including two at the start of the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship seasons.

The German manufacturer previously disclosed the rollout of suspension updates for this year as a single joker, although Porsche LMDh factory director Urs Kuratle has revealed to Sportscar365 that a second joker was needed for aerodynamic changes to the rear of the car as well.

“We had an update from last year to this year but you don’t [visibly] see it,” Kuratle told Sportscar365. “That cost us a joker as well.”

Kuratle wouldn’t specifically disclose the exact aero changes, although it’s believed to be focused on a minor re-profiling of the rear bodywork and diffuser areas.

“It’s not a performance gain,” he said. “It doesn’t help on top speed. It’s something that makes the car more balanced across the tracks we have.

“Between all the different race tracks, the car is way more balanced having this update. It makes it more level.”

Porsche’s first joker, applied at the start of the 2024 seasons, was also suspension-related.

The FIA, ACO and IMSA, which must approve all joker requests, do not publicly disclose the current number of jokers each car has utilized.

Manufacturers with cars built to LMDh or LMH regulations are permitted the use of up to five jokers through the 2027 season, with two additional jokers eligible for use in 2028 and/or 2029 as part of the extension of the regulations announced last June.

Additionally, OEMs are permitted one new car homologation during the period.

Peugeot, for example, is believed to have used up all five of its permitted jokers so far, while Alpine, BMW, Cadillac and Ferrari are all understood to have only used one to date.

A further allowance of jokers, and the eligibility for a second car homologation, is likely to be granted as part of a further extension of the regs, through the 2032 seasons, that is expected to be announced on Friday in Le Mans.

When asked if Porsche’s updates for this year have produced progress at Le Mans, Kuratle indicated they’ve come at a gain at a number of tracks so far this year.

“With the upgrades we did from 24 to 25, they were not specifically for Le Mans,” he said. “They were for the complete season. They worked. But we knew that before Le Mans already.

“We do not have specific updates for here but it’s positive. We are happy.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John